100 years since the first crossing of the North Sea by airplane
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100 years since the first crossing of the North Sea by airplane
100 years ago today, on July 30, 1914, Norwegian Tryggve Gran (1888 - 1980) became the first person to cross the North Sea in an airplane, a Bleriot XI. He flew from Cruden Bay in Scotland to Reve outside Stavanger in Norway, but his feat was entirely overshadowed by the outbreak of WWI.
This man was quite a character. He took part in Robert F. Scott's South Pole expedition, and was among the search team who found Scott and his team members frozen to death. In 1915 he travelled to France and England to study the use of airplanes in war, and joined the RFC, posing as a Canadian named Teddy Grant, as Norway was neutral in WWI. He is rumoured to have shot down Hermann Göring.
This man was quite a character. He took part in Robert F. Scott's South Pole expedition, and was among the search team who found Scott and his team members frozen to death. In 1915 he travelled to France and England to study the use of airplanes in war, and joined the RFC, posing as a Canadian named Teddy Grant, as Norway was neutral in WWI. He is rumoured to have shot down Hermann Göring.
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Looking at the specifications and design of the Bleriot XI, Mr Gran was a brave soul indeed. Crossing the North Sea in that little machine would take some courage....and a well performing little engine.
Deserves a round of applause.
Noticed on Wikipedia how many variants of the Bleriot there is. From a 25hp version with a top speed of 75km/h to the Blériot XI-3 Concours Militaire
Tandem 3-seat model, powered by a twin-row 14-cylinder, 140 hp (100 kW) Gnome Double Lambda rotary engine. Span 11.35 m (37 ft 3 in), length 8.5 m (28 ft).
Doesn't list though the important part. How fast did she go?
Deserves a round of applause.
Noticed on Wikipedia how many variants of the Bleriot there is. From a 25hp version with a top speed of 75km/h to the Blériot XI-3 Concours Militaire
Tandem 3-seat model, powered by a twin-row 14-cylinder, 140 hp (100 kW) Gnome Double Lambda rotary engine. Span 11.35 m (37 ft 3 in), length 8.5 m (28 ft).
Doesn't list though the important part. How fast did she go?
